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Spectrum allocation needs for MSS to be discussed at workshop in Berlin

ESA and the Industrial Project team ESA_1-5800 are hosting a workshop to discuss the need for additional spectrum allocations to Mobile Satellite Service (MSS). This workshop is set to take place 27 September 2010 in Berlin.

The main purpose of the workshop is to provide an informal platform for administrations and MSS provider/industries to discuss demands and prospects of the emerging MSS broadband markets and the corresponding growing need for appropriate frequency spectrum. This will be presented and discussed in three dedicated sessions followed by a senior manager and expert panel discussion.

MSS is an established part of the communications eco-system, providing integral land, aeronautical and maritime mobile services. Most existing MSS systems are narrowband systems with limited amounts of spectrum in congested frequency bands below 3 GHz. The World Radiocommunication Conference-2012 (WRC-12) Agenda Item 1.25 provides an opportunity to allocate spectrum for broadband MSS at higher frequencies — 4 to 16 GHz — allowing MSS growth in order to help satisfy the world’s increasing demand for mobile broadband services.

WRC-12 will take place in Geneva, Switzerland from 23 January to 17 February 2012. World radiocommunication conferences are held every three to four years. It is the job of WRC to review, and, if necessary, revise the radio regulations, the international treaty governing the use of the radio-frequency spectrum and the geostationary-satellite and non-geostationary-satellite orbits. Revisions are made on the basis of an agenda determined by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) council, which takes into account recommendations made by previous world radiocommunication conferences.

ESA_1-5800

ESA_1-5800 is currently running an ARTES 1 project with EADS Astrium (DE) as prime contractor entitled The Changing Regulatory and Evolutionary Environment and its impact on the Satellite Communication Business.

This project supports ESA in light of a changing regulatory and technically evolutionary environment in defending the needs of the satellite communication community to maintain future availability and growth potential of the frequency spectrum needed for the provision of satellite communication and broadcasting services.

The main features of this study should result in the clarification and promotion of seven key satcom items in the regulatory domain, of which three deal with regulation in the European Union while the other cover issues in preparation of agenda items to be dealt with at WRC-12.

Two workshops have already taken place with the Berlin workshop to be the final event to gather further input and discussions.

For more information, please see the contact and project page links in the column to the right. Please note that the workshop is by invitation only.